USLA sends Youth National Team to Rescue 2014

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (Aug. 19, 2014) — The United States Lifesaving Association (USLA), the professional association of beach lifeguards and open water rescuers, announced the participation of its Youth National Team in Rescue 2014, Life Saving World Championships, held in Montpellier and La Grande Motte, France from Sept. 16-21.

The team is managed Gus Avila and coached by Casey Graham, Chris Nowviskie and Chris Egan. Together the team leadership boasts over a century of experience in professional surf lifesaving, coaching, racing and team management; assembling the finest American Youth National Team possible.

“We conducted an exhaustive nationwide search for the best surf lifesaving athletes born 1996 to 1999, beginning in the spring of this year,” said Coach Casey Graham. “These 12 outstanding young men and women lifesavers who made the team illustrate the high standards for readiness and fitness set by the USLA. The entire staff could not be more proud of this team.”

The 12-guard roster, competing in the bi-annual International Life Saving Federation (ILS) sanctioned event, was chosen by a USLA selection committee based on a variety of criteria, including: past performances at national events, endurance and versatility in the pool and on the beach.

2014 U.S. Youth National Team Roster:

Boys’ Team Girls’ Team
Chris Wise – Destin, Fla.
Hayden Hemmens – Newport Beach, Calif.
Spencer Farrar – LA County, Calif.
Ryan Van Til – Avila Beach, Calif.
Ben Coffey – Santa Cruz City, Calif.
Ben Brewer – Santa Barbara City, Calif.
Manager: Gus Avila
Emma Noble – LA County, Calif.
Amanda Calabrese – East Hampton, N.Y.
Tess Farrar – LA County, Calif.
Julia Schulte – Pompano Beach, Fla.
Shannon Snell – Pompano Beach, Fla.
Holly Maine – LA County, Calif.
Coaches: Casey Graham, Chris Nowviskie and Chris Egan